ABOUT NPIP

Established in the early 1930s, the National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP) is a cooperative
program that includes the poultry industry, state and federal agencies to improve poultry and
poultry products throughout the country.

NPIP was initially developed to eliminate Salmonella Pullorum Disease, which at the time ran
rampant in poultry resulting in up to 80 percent mortality in chicks. Today, the program has
expanded to monitor testing of multiple diseases for most poultry species of varying flock sizes.
Provisions of the plan have been developed jointly by industry members, state and federal officials
to prevent the introduction of dangerous pests and disease in today's poultry. The Ohio Poultry
Association (OPA) is the official state agency administrating NPIP in Ohio.

There are many benefits to participating in the Ohio NPIP program. One important benefit includes
allowing the safe movement of hatching eggs and live birds across the state and country. NPIP is
a voluntary program that helps protect both the consumer and all aspects of the poultry industry.
If you are interested in participating in Ohio's NPIP program, please complete
this form.

If you own birds and wish to ship poultry or eggs to another state, it is your responsibility to
contact the NPIP Official State Agency and/or the State Health Officials Office of the state in
which you are shipping to determine the testing requirements. State importation requirements can
be found on the NPIP website at
www.poultryimprovement.org.

Pullorum Disease is caused by bacterium Salmonella pullorum. It causes disease in young chicks
and poults producing white diarrhea, dehydration and high mortality. Recovered birds become
lifelong carriers and produce Salmonella pullorum infected eggs which cause disease in chicks.

The disease was widespread in the United States around the early part of this century and was
responsible for high losses. In 1935, the National Poultry Improvement Plan was started to
control the spread of pullorum in poultry. By intensive blood testing and elimination of
infected birds, the disease has been eradicated from commercial poultry flocks since the early
1970s. Pockets of infection, however, remain in backyard flocks. The disease may spread from
these local isolated flocks into commercial poultry at large.

Primarily chickens and turkeys are affected; other species such as guinea fowl, parrots, partridges,
peafowl, pheasants, quail and sparrows may also become infected. The rapid whole blood plate test is
only intended for use in chickens and other species listed above; NOT for turkeys. A different test
must be used for turkeys. Doves, pigeons and waterfowl are exempt from testing.

The Ohio Poultry Association maintains a list of certified testers and can provide contact
information for testers in your area. If you wish to have your flock officially blood tested, complete
this form.

Avian influenza
(AI), a virus commonly known as the "bird flu," is an infectious disease of birds
caused by type A strains of the influenza virus.

Avian Influenza Signs and Symptoms

One of the earliest signs of the disease is increased death with up to 100 percent mortality
in many cases. Birds could also show signs of sickness through respiratory symptoms, depression,
loss of appetite, decreased egg production, and/or diarrhea.

Monitor your birds for sign of disease. If disease suspected, call the Ohio Department
of Agriculture: regular business hours at (614) 728-6220,
or after hours at (888) 456-3405 and Ohio Poultry Association at (614) 882-6111. If you wish to
participate in the Ohio AI monitored program, please contact the
Ohio Poultry Association
to speak with a bird health programs representative.